In Warrnambool, the moving dawn service is gaining in popularity each year and now more people attend the 6am commemoration than the city's later service.

Thousands rugged up and made their way to the city's war memorial for an inclusive service that honoured those who had served in all wars and acknowledged the contribution from the Indigenous community.

The emotional strains of the Last Post rang out across Cannon Hill, with bugler Bernie Opperman providing a stirring melody across the still morning.

Dawn services were also held in Beeac, Camperdown, Colac, Coleraine, Dunkeld, Hamilton, Hawkesdale, Narrawong, Noorat, Penshurst, Port Campbell, Port Fairy, Portland, Yambuk and Terang.

Read more:

The Dennington community enjoyed a breakfast while several mid-morning services began with a commemorative march and ended in the laying of wreaths.

In Camperdown, nearly 800 people joined the annual march past the iconic Clocktower.

Mortlake RSL secretary John McGuigan said over 300 people attended a service at the steps of the post office.

"We were really happy with the turn out. The rain held off and the day went very smoothly. It was magnificent," he said.

Community members viewed plans for the Settler's Run project, which will include sculptures, a museum and a wall of names of former soldier settlers. Mr McGuigan said the plans were very well received by the whole community.

In Ellerslie, about 50 people turned out for a service lead by Mortlake RSL president Merv Hammond and guest speaker Mick Murphy.

Port Fairy RSL president Doug Nolte lead two services in Port Fairy and one at Koroit. He said he started the day at 5am and went right through to nearly 2pm.

"We had really big crowds, it was all very pleasing," he said.

"The schools all had a big input and my daughter Barbara Brooks lead the national anthem.

"We also had a special guest Howard Sharpe talk about doing the Kokoda Track, as well as Sami Zehir - a nice young Turkish fella who studied in Hamilton."

A die-hard Collingwood supporter, Mr Nolte rushed home to watch the Bombers and Magpies meet for their traditional Anzac Day match at the MCG.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.